LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Hartzler should make decisions based on constituent needs

Wednesday, August 28, 2013 | 6:00 a.m. CDT

BY
Deborah Miller

I called the office of U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, asking her to vote for Rep. Justin Amash's amendment to partially defund the National Security Agency. I was discouraged by a letter she sent to me citing her excuse for supporting an amendment by Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas, rather than Amash's amendment.

In part, her response letter reads, “An amendment by Representative Pompeo of Kansas that explicitly bars the NSA from collecting the content of any American's phone conversations and emails. That language is unequivocal and protects Americans.”

My first thought was: Did she vote her constituents' voices, or was her vote based solely on her own opinion(s)? But my second thought, the thought I find most important and compelling is this: The Constitution of the United States' Fourth Amendment was written to protect us from unwarranted searches. So my final thought is, “If the Constitution cannot protect us, what makes her think more language and another piece of paper will?” In closing: Vicky? Did you vote your constituents' desires, or did you vote your own opinion? I personally need an answer to the question.